Hinrich eager to return from injury

Veteran Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich sounded hopeful but not definitive that he will be able to return to action Wednesday when the Bulls embark on a West Coast trip.

Hinrich missed Monday night’s loss to Boston after suffering a muscular strain in his hamstring and gluteus area last weekend. He underwent an MRI on Monday.

“I’m happy with the progress and I’ll just keep trying to get better,” Hinrich said Tuesday after practice at the Berto Center.

Asked how he will know if he is ready to return Wednesday night against Phoenix, Hinrich said: “It’s just how well I can move. Between now and (Wednesday), I will just have to get as much treatment as I can, and at some point I am going to have to really push it and test it, to see how I feel.”

Hinrich said he is not certain just how he sustained the injury.

“My focus right now is to find out the root of my problems and what’s causing these issues and take care of them,” he said.

NOTE: Kirk Hinrich is one of five Bulls on the ballot for the 2013 All-Star Game, which was released Tuesday. Also on the ballot are Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson.